Local fans let loose during watch party.

By JASON ROSENBAUM of the Tribune's staff

Friday

Aug 29, 2008 at 12:01 AM

As Sen. Barack Obama made his presidential acceptance speech from a packed football stadium in Colorado, many attendees of a watch party last night in Columbia cheered as if he were on the Blue Note's stage.

More than 250 attendees of a watch party at the Blue Note cheered each image that flashed by on a movie screen projecting the final day of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.

One of the people cheering Obama was John Fry, who held up a stick with a small blue "O" attached at the end as the Illinois senator made his speech. Fry said he was gearing up for the general election cycle. "I think it means we may not have enough time before it comes an end to do all the things and to say all the things that need to be said," he said.

Yesterday's event perhaps showcased the enthusiasm Obama's campaign has in Columbia and Boone County, where Obama garnered more than 60 percent of the vote earlier this year during the presidential primary. That was tantamount to a landslide victory over Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

Obama, however, fared poorly in rural areas surrounding Boone County; Clinton won numerous rural counties in the Ninth Congressional District. Obama's campaign is hoping to do better in November by opening up offices in outstate areas and enlisting high-profile staff to organize volunteers.

With a little more than two months before the election between Obama and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Obama's campaign implored those at the Blue Note last night to pitch in with the campaign.

Rachel Levine, a coordinator who oversees Obama's campaign in 20 Mid-Missouri counties, noted yesterday that Boone County voted for President George W. Bush in 2004. The margin was tiny - only 158 votes.

Levine urged the crowd not only to vote for Obama but also to volunteer for his campaign.

"Without all of you, we don't get this accomplished," Levine told the crowd before Obama made his speech. "Get involved. Whether it's here up in Columbia or up in Fayette, over in Sedalia or up in Kirksville, get involved, stay involved, and let's elect Barack Obama."

Reach Jason Rosenbaum at (573) 815-1724 or jrosenbaum@tribmail.com.

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